Discord: Difference between revisions
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===Privacy<ref name="terms-of-service3">[https://discord.com/terms/ "Discord's Terms of Service"]. April 15, 2024. ''Discord''. Retrieved January 16, 2025. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260216033955/https://discord.com/terms/ Archived])</ref>=== | ===Privacy<ref name="terms-of-service3">[https://discord.com/terms/ "Discord's Terms of Service"]. April 15, 2024. ''Discord''. Retrieved January 16, 2025. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260216033955/https://discord.com/terms/ Archived])</ref>=== | ||
Mentioned within the '''Discord ToS<ref name="terms-of-service3" />''' and '''Privacy Policy''':<ref name="privacy-policy3">[https://discord.com/privacy/ "Discord Privacy Policy"]. April 15, 2024. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260216034021/https://discord.com/privacy/ Archived]) ''Discord''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref><ref name="community-guidelines2">[https://discord.com/guidelines/ "Discord Community Guidelines"]. April 15, 2024. ''Discord''. Retrieved January 16, 2025. ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260216015550/https://discord.com/guidelines Archived])</ref> | Mentioned within the '''Discord ToS<ref name="terms-of-service3" />''' and '''Privacy Policy''':<ref name="privacy-policy3">[https://discord.com/privacy/ "Discord Privacy Policy"]. April 15, 2024. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260216034021/https://discord.com/privacy/ Archived]) ''Discord''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref><ref name="community-guidelines2">[https://discord.com/guidelines/ "Discord Community Guidelines"]. April 15, 2024. ''Discord''. Retrieved January 16, 2025. ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260216015550/https://discord.com/guidelines Archived])</ref> | ||
*Collects a variety of user data, such as contact details; user generated messages and posts, including drafts; voice messages; payment information; server participation; device information, such as games being playing; log and event information related to use of Discord services as well as information from cookies and third party sources | *Collects a variety of user data, such as contact details; user generated messages and posts, including drafts; voice messages; payment information; server participation; device information, such as games being playing; log and event information related to use of Discord services as well as information from cookies and third party sources<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-29 |title=Privacy Policy: The information we collect |url=https://discord.com/privacy#3 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=Discord |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128220720/https://discord.com/privacy |archive-date=28 Jan 2026}}</ref> | ||
*Claims broad rights to user-generated content | *Claims broad rights to user-generated content | ||
* | *Stores deleted messages for undefined periods | ||
*Retains personal information until deemed "no longer needed | *Retains personal information until deemed "no longer needed" | ||
*Processes user content for "safety features and platform improvement | *Processes user content for "safety features and platform improvement" | ||
*Shares data with related companies, vendors, and third-party service providers | *Shares data with related companies, vendors, and third-party service providers | ||
*Opt-out behavioral tracking across platform features for personalization | *Opt-out behavioral tracking across platform features for personalization | ||
*Maintains logs of IP addresses and device information for an undetermined amount of time, flags any user who has ever signed in with an EU IP address for inclusion within DSA transparency reports | *Maintains logs of IP addresses and device information for an undetermined amount of time, flags any user who has ever signed in with an EU IP address for inclusion within DSA transparency reports | ||
*Sends a web request when any UI element is clicked and when typing | *Sends a web request when any UI element is clicked and when typing | ||
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===Freedom=== | ===Freedom=== | ||
In order to use Discord, users must agree to the '''Discord ToS<ref name="terms-of-service3" />''' and '''Privacy Policy''', which includes agreeing to:<ref name="privacy-policy3" /> | |||
*Mandatory [[Forced arbitration|binding arbitration]] with [[class action|class-action]] waiver for U.S. users | *Mandatory [[Forced arbitration|binding arbitration]] with [[class action|class-action]] waiver for U.S. users (From 19 October 2018) | ||
* | *Granting a perpetual, transferable license to user content | ||
* | *Broad terms of service, which allow for unilateral changes | ||
* | *Termination of user accounts without prior notice at Discord's discretion | ||
*No option to opt out of core data collection while using the service | |||
*No option to opt out of core data collection while using the service | *Discord possibly retaining content even after deletion by the user | ||
* | Additionally, server owners have limited recourse if their servers are banned, and users are required to use Discord's payment processing for all monetary transactions.<!-- "Limited recourse" is quite vague. It would be helpful to outline what recourse is possible and why this is insufficient. --> | ||
===Transparency=== | ===Transparency=== | ||
Discord's terms of service are lengthy and complex. In October 2025, the base terms are 29 pages long, with a reading level of 14th grade (equivalent to two years of tertiary education) and an estimated reading time of 42 minutes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Calculated using readabilitychecker.com based on current discord TOS. discord.com/terms |url=https://readabilitychecker.com/url |access-date=9 Oct 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260210185029/https://readabilitychecker.com/url |archive-date=10 Feb 2026}}</ref> The 2021 version of Discord's ToS would take an estimated 275+ hours to read.<ref>{{Cite web |title=EULA of despair |url=https://www.pilotlab.org/eulas-of-despair |access-date=9 Oct 2025 |website=Penn State University Pilot Lab |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260216034102/https://www.pilotlab.org/eulas-of-despair |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref | Discord's terms of service are lengthy and complex. In October 2025, the base terms are 29 pages long, with a reading level of 14th grade (equivalent to two years of tertiary education) and an estimated reading time of 42 minutes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Calculated using readabilitychecker.com based on current discord TOS. discord.com/terms |url=https://readabilitychecker.com/url |access-date=9 Oct 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260210185029/https://readabilitychecker.com/url |archive-date=10 Feb 2026}}</ref> The 2021 version of Discord's ToS would take an estimated 275+ hours to read.<ref>{{Cite web |title=EULA of despair |url=https://www.pilotlab.org/eulas-of-despair |access-date=9 Oct 2025 |website=Penn State University Pilot Lab |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260216034102/https://www.pilotlab.org/eulas-of-despair |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref> | ||
Mentioned within the '''Discord Privacy Policy'''<ref name="privacy-policy3" /> and '''Community Guidelines''':<ref name="community-guidelines2" /> | Mentioned within the '''Discord Privacy Policy'''<ref name="privacy-policy3" /> and '''Community Guidelines''':<ref name="community-guidelines2" /> | ||
*Unclear processes for handling law enforcement requests | *Unclear processes for handling law enforcement requests | ||
*Vague about | *Vague about data retention time frames | ||
*Limited transparency regarding content moderation decisions | *Limited transparency regarding content moderation decisions<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=BBB - Discord, Inc. |url=https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/san-francisco/profile/computer-software/discord-inc-1116-918699 |access-date=Aug 2, 2025 |website=Better Business Bureau |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260210184246/https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/san-francisco/profile/computer-software/discord-inc-1116-918699 |archive-date=10 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Trustpilot - Discord |url=https://www.trustpilot.com/review/discord.com |access-date=Aug 2, 2025 |website=Trustpilot |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251112025215/https://www.trustpilot.com/review/discord.com |archive-date=12 Nov 2025}}</ref> | ||
** | **Offending content not always displayed to the user, including metadata, filenames, timestamps, or the channel where it was posted | ||
**No limits or restrictions on the age of content (e.g., users can be suspended due to something sent 1500 days ago) | **No limits or restrictions on the age of content (e.g., users can be suspended due to something sent 1500 days ago) | ||
* | *Lack of transparency in the server ban appeals process<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> | ||
*Limited disclosure of recommendation algorithm factors | *Limited disclosure of recommendation algorithm factors | ||
* | *No clear disclosure of how the content is used for platform improvement | ||
==Incidents== | ==Incidents== | ||
===Introduction of forced arbitration (Oct. 2018)=== | ===Introduction of forced arbitration (Oct. 2018)=== | ||
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In October 2025, Discord issued a press release announcing a "Security Incident Involving Third-Party Customer Service [5CA]", in which "the unauthorized party [...] gained access to a small number of government‑ID images (e.g., driver’s license, passport) from users who had appealed an age determination," as well as other personal data provided to support.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2025-10-03 |title=Update on a Security Incident Involving Third-Party Customer Service |url=https://discord.com/press-releases/update-on-security-incident-involving-third-party-customer-service |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251006163040/https://discord.com/press-releases/update-on-security-incident-involving-third-party-customer-service |archive-date=2025-10-06 |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=Discord}}</ref> The number of ID images accessed was approximately 70,000, and the third-party in question was later named as 5CA.<ref name=":2" /> The hackers involved in the breach have revealed that the data was accessed via Zendesk.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hunt |first=Troy |date=2025-10-04 |title=X |url=https://x.com/troyhunt/status/1974558088847102289}}</ref><!-- Any better sources? The tweet referred to by this person is not archived. --> | In October 2025, Discord issued a press release announcing a "Security Incident Involving Third-Party Customer Service [5CA]", in which "the unauthorized party [...] gained access to a small number of government‑ID images (e.g., driver’s license, passport) from users who had appealed an age determination," as well as other personal data provided to support.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2025-10-03 |title=Update on a Security Incident Involving Third-Party Customer Service |url=https://discord.com/press-releases/update-on-security-incident-involving-third-party-customer-service |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251006163040/https://discord.com/press-releases/update-on-security-incident-involving-third-party-customer-service |archive-date=2025-10-06 |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=Discord}}</ref> The number of ID images accessed was approximately 70,000, and the third-party in question was later named as 5CA.<ref name=":2" /> The hackers involved in the breach have revealed that the data was accessed via Zendesk.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hunt |first=Troy |date=2025-10-04 |title=X |url=https://x.com/troyhunt/status/1974558088847102289}}</ref><!-- Any better sources? The tweet referred to by this person is not archived. --> | ||
===Announcement of Age Verification Coming in March (Feb. 2026)<!-- Above under the incidents "Child safety concerns" (June 2023) and "FTC data collection investigation (Sept. 2024), there is implied criticism of Discord for failing to protect child safety and insufficient age verification. This age verification measure could then be seen as Discord trying to | ===Announcement of Age Verification Coming in March (Feb. 2026)<!-- Above under the incidents "Child safety concerns" (June 2023) and "FTC data collection investigation (Sept. 2024), there is implied criticism of Discord for failing to protect child safety and insufficient age verification. This age verification measure could then be seen as Discord trying to address these criticisms. In order for this page have a coherent stance on companies responsibility regarding child safety and the use of age verification, it might be necessary to articulate (either here or linked to a separate page) why this widespread age verification is a violation of consumer privacy rights and its ineffectiveness at improving child safety. -->=== | ||
In February 2026, Discord issued a press release announcing "enhanced teen safety features rolling out globally, | In February 2026, Discord issued a press release announcing "enhanced teen safety features rolling out globally", which begins with a "rollout to new and existing users in early March", that may require users "to engage in an age-verification process to change certain settings or access sensitive content".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-09 |title=Discord Launches Teen-by-Default Settings Globally |url=https://discord.com/press-releases/discord-launches-teen-by-default-settings-globally |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260209142047/https://discord.com/press-releases/discord-launches-teen-by-default-settings-globally |archive-date=2026-02-09 |access-date=2026-02-09 |website=Discord}}</ref> | ||
On February 9, 2026, a [https://www.change.org/p/prevent-discord-from-implementing-id-verification Change.org petition] was created to prevent Discord from implementing the age verification globally. | On February 9, 2026, a [https://www.change.org/p/prevent-discord-from-implementing-id-verification Change.org petition] was created to prevent Discord from implementing the age verification globally. | ||
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{{Quote|"Important: If you're located in the UK, you may be part of an experiment where your information will be processed by an age-assurance vendor, Persona. The Information you submit will be temporarily stored for up to 7 days, then deleted. For ID document verification, all details are blurred except your photo and date of birth, so only what's truly needed for age verification is used".}} | {{Quote|"Important: If you're located in the UK, you may be part of an experiment where your information will be processed by an age-assurance vendor, Persona. The Information you submit will be temporarily stored for up to 7 days, then deleted. For ID document verification, all details are blurred except your photo and date of birth, so only what's truly needed for age verification is used".}} | ||
[[File:Discord Article Changes.png|alt=This image shows the Screenshorts of the changes support article on Discord's support page|thumb|Changes between the 15th of February compared to the 19th of February 2026]] | [[File:Discord Article Changes.png|alt=This image shows the Screenshorts of the changes support article on Discord's support page|thumb|Changes between the 15th of February compared to the 19th of February 2026]] | ||
After significant backlash from the online community, Discord has changed their | After significant backlash from the online community, Discord has changed their statement under the article (As of February 19th, 2026): {{Quote|"Note: Some users in regions outside the UK and Australia may see age-assurance prompts when accessing certain features or settings as part of ongoing experiments."}} | ||
Discord does not further clarify what the "experiments" entail. | Discord does not further clarify what the "experiments" entail. | ||
Furthermore | Furthermore, the more detailed help-center article does not contain any mentions of the vendor Persona. | ||
Persona is an identity verification tool producer, that has | Persona is an identity verification tool producer, that has received $200 million dollars from the founders fund, a venture capital group headed by Peter Thiel. | ||
Peter Thiel is also the co-founder of Palantir Technologies Inc, a global surveillance company. | Peter Thiel is also the co-founder of Palantir Technologies Inc, a global surveillance company. | ||